Automatic flush valve



Dec', 16, 1924.

R. R. BANTA AUTOMATIC FLUSH VALVE Filed March 28, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet lDec. 16, 1924.

R. R. BANTA AUTOMATIC FLUSH VALVE Filed MaIGh 28, 1921 5 SheetS-Sheet 2a D@ wh,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 R. R. BANvTA AUTOMATIC FLUSH VALVE Flled March 28, 1921Dec, 16, 1924.

Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

UNITED lSTATES ROBERT It. BANTA, Gif/CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC FLUSH v ALvE.

application fuea umn 2s, 1921. serial No. 456,344. f

To aZvZ whom it may com-em.'

Be it `known that I, ROBERT R. BANTA, a'citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Flush Valves,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to. a new and improved ilush valve, and moreparticularly to a flush valve adapted for use-in connection with toiletfixtures and designed to be operated either manually or automatically bymovement of the seat of the fixture.

The device of the present application is in many respects similar tothat disclosed in my prior Patent Number 1,416,317, granted May 16,1922, and is in the nature of an improvement thereon.

In the use of fixtures of this character, in public buildingsespecially, it is highly desirable that means be provided for bothautomatic and selective manual operation in order that the fixtures maybe certain of receiving the proper care.

It is an object of the present invent-ion to provide a Hush valve which,as stated, is capable of both automatic and manuall operation, and whichis simple in construction and positive in its operation. v

It is an additional object to provide a device of this character whichis composed `of relatively few and rugged parts, with all wearinelements afforded the maximum of protectlon, and which is easy ofassembly.

It is a further object to provide a device which is capable ofadjustment forl the purpose of regulating the duration ofthe flush,regardless of the pressure of the water supply or of. the. method orduration of the movement of either the manual or automatic operatingmeans.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds. f

Broadly stated, my invention comprises a main valve and an operating orbleeder valve adapted to cause the operation of the main valve byreleasing the pressure upon it. It provides two distinct meansforpermitting operation of the bleeder valve so that it may be actuatedeither manually or by movement of the seat.

I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of thedevice taken through the manual operating mechanism,

Fio'ure 2 is a fragmentary vertical section showmg the automatic orseat-actuated operating device; p

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail showing the operating devices in normalposition relative to the valve operating stem;

Figure 4 is 'a view similar to Figure 3 showing the automatic operatingdevice moved mwardly;

-Fi l e 5 is -a viewv similar to Figure 3 showm'g the automatic deviceholding the valve operating ystem in operated position; an v Figure 6 isa plan viewpartly in section throu h the manual operating mechanism.

Re erring to the drawing, my valve comprises the main body or casingmember 7, and the cap member 8 secured to the upper end thereof. Anopening 9 is provided in the Side of the casing to receive the waterinlet pipe 10.' A lateral tubular extension 11 is provided in the lowerportion of the cas? ing' to receive the manually operated mechamsm. Thiscasing 7 has its open lower end secured by means of a coupling 12 to theautomatic operating device housing 13. The latter is secured to thefixture 14 by means of the clamp 15 and bolt 16.

The fixed valve sleeve orcut-of member 17 is threaded into anintermediate partition 18 in the housing 7. It is provided with internalguide pins 17. Coacting with this sleeve is the depending sleeve 19which is threaded into the lower face of the main valve member 20. Themain valve member 20 is rovided on its lower face with a packing rmg 25which is retained in place by the depending sleeve 19. This packing ringengages the upper surface of the member 17 and serves to entirely closethe passage through the member 17.

The flexible diaphragm 21 is provided with a circular inner opening andits inner edge is secured to-'the valve member 20 by means of the upperguide sleeve 22 and the clamping ring 23. The outer edge of thediaphragm 21 is clamped between the upper surface of the casing member 7and the par-l tition member24, the latter being held `in place by thecap member 8.

The main valve member 20 is provided from that sleeve.- The spring 33bears upon the under face of the head 29 and upon the upper surface ofthe stem 32 and normally urges it outward to the limit of its motion asrmitted by the member 31.

he secondary or bleeder valve 434 is tubu- -lar in form, with atransversevpartition 34 to the lower face of which a packing ring 35 isvsecured by the bolt 36.l The outer face of this tubular valve is`provided with the longitudinal grooves 37. This valve 34 is carried bythe main valve assembly, be-

ing retained within the sleeve 22 Iby means of the perforated plate 38.It is urged downwardly against the flangle 26"of the main valve by thespring 39, t e upper end of which engages the plate 38. The outerportion of the sleeve 22 fits closely into' a depending circular flangeor dam 83 formed in the cap member 8. The intermediate portion of theouter surface of this sleeve 22 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinal grooves 40. The port member 41 is passed through the guardmember 24, the diaphragm 21, and the inner flange 7 of the casing member7 at any desired point and is retained in place by the cap member 8.This member 41 is readily removable and replaceable, which is anextremely mportant feature, since these small parts tend to corrode andclo y The flange 18, xed sleeve 17, the diaphragm 21, together With themain valve closure, define an operating chamber 42 in directcommunication with the main water supply pipe 10. The collapsing chamber43 is defined by the diaphragm 21, the movable sleeve 22 and the guardmember 24. The feed chamber 44 is defined by the guard member 24 and thecap 8 with its flange 83. The discharge chamber 45 is formed in theupper portion. of the cap member above itsl dam 83 and normally closedby the secondary valve 34.

The manual operation device comprises the handle 46 which is directlyattached to the operating cam 47, the latter being retained in placeupon the extension 11 of the valve housing by the screw cap 48. Thetubular slide 49 is provided with the rounded head 50 which normallycontacts with a similarly shaped face upon the member 47. The member 49has the tripping extension 51 carried by extended arms 52. The spring 53is held in place in the member 49 by means ofthe cross portions 54 ofthe guide sleeve 55. The guide sleeve is retained in place in thetubular extension 11v by a screw-threaded connection `therewith. Therubber packing ring 56 encircles the tubular member 49. This ring beingvplaced in the grov'e 84 when assembling the device, is forced to theposition shown inFigures 1 and 6 by the assembling movement and iscompressed, thus forming a very efficient packing.

The automatic or vseat actuated operating device is carried in thetubular extension 57 which forms a part of the housing 13. This devicecomprises the tripping member 58 which is attached to the inner end ofthe plunger 59. The adjustable contact pin 60 is secured in the outerend of the plunger 59, being locked by the set screw 60. The plunger 59is provided with -the enlarged shou der 61 which engages the screw cap62 to retain the plunger in the housing. The plunger is further providedwith the shoulder 63 adjacentthe shoulderv 61, and the packing ring 64which is similar to the ring 56 is retained between these two shoulders.The thrust Washer 65 is retained in the tubular housing 57 llby theflange 66 formed in the housing. The operating spring 67 bears againstthis washer 65 andv aga-inst the adjustable washer 68, which latter isscrew-threaded upon the plunger 59. The guide collar 69 isformedintegnally with the plunger 59 and is provided w1th a groove 70 coactingwith a longitudinal ridge 71 in the housing to prevent rotation of theplunger. The washer 68 is also ,provided with a groove coacting withthis ridge 71 in order to prevent accidental rotation of the washer andconsequent variation in adjustment of the spring tension. The outer endof the in 6() engages the rear of the seat 80 which is connected to thefixture by the hinges 81. The tripping member 58 is shown in `plan viewin Figures 3 to 5 and is provided with the flattened outer portion 72,the intermediate laterall open aperture 73, the guard spring 74, anholding nose 75.

The valve as shown in Figure 1 is in its normal position. The Waterunder pressure from the mains fills the chamber 42 from the pipe 10 andthrough the port member 41 the chamber 44 is filled. There isa clearancebetween the wall of the partition 24 Aand the sleeve 22 so that thechamber 43 is also filled by water under pressure. Tater also fills thedischarge chamber 45 and aids in retaining the valve 34 against itsseat.' The pressure of the water in the chambers l43 and 45 serves toretain the main valveassembly against its seat.

In .operating the valve by means of the manual operating device, thehandle 46 is moved; in any direction from normal. This movement causesthe cam member 47 to pivot against the cap 48 and to thrust rearwardlyagainst the head 50 of the operating member. The telescopic sleeve 31 isthrust to the left by the tripping member 51, as indicated in brokenlines in Figure 1, and as soon as theplunger 32 clears the left side ofthe tripping member 58, the rod 32 is forced downwardly to the limit ofits move\ ment by the spring 33. This lateral movement of the rod tiltsthe head 29 of the valve operating device andthe upper edge of the head29 engages the secondary or bleeder valve 34 and lifts that valvevertically from its seat. The water above the Valve and in the dischargechamber 45, due to the pressure in chamber 42 onv the main valveclosure, immediately rushes past the valve 34 through the passages 37and out through the opening uncovered by the member 29 and through theseries of holes 76 therein. This rushof water relieves a portion of thepressure on the main valve. As the valve starts to rise, due to therelease of pressure, water from the collapsing chamber 43 and the vfeedchamber 44 passes upwardlyinto the chamber 45 through the grooves 40 inthe sleeve 22 and from the chamber`45 past the secondary valve. Thisdischarge of water is much greater than the volume of water which comesinto the chamber 44 through the port member 41 during the same period oftime.

As the valve assembly rises the telescopic actuating assembly 28 iscarried with it and before the assembly reaches the top limit Iof itsmovement the rod or plunger 32 has cleared 4the tripping member 58 andthe assembly is then free to-swing to normal position, allowing thesecondary valve 34 to close. This member 29 is provided with small ports76 which serve to permit passage of the Water trapped above the head andthe valve 34 is closed against its seat 26 by the pressure of the waterand by its spring 39.

During the period after the main valve' sleeve 19 has cleared its lowercontact with the fixed sleeve member 17, the main flow of v water rushesdirectly from the chamber 42 through the main valve opening about thissleeve 19. After the closing of the secondary valve the chambers 43, 44and 45 are gradu- 4ally filled-through the port member 41 and the valveassembly gradually sinks until the main valve 25 again makes contactwith its valve seat, the upper rim of the -member 17 As this assemblylowers, the rod 32 engages the upper face 'of the tripping member 58 andis returned to normal position, pressing inwardly the spring 33. i

In operation by means of the automatic operating device, when the seat80 is depressed, it thrusts against the pin 60, and the plunger 59 andtripping .Y member 58 are moved inwardly from theposition shown inFigure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, the rod 32 being forced by itsvspring 33 downwardl through the opening 73. Aslong as the p unger isretained in this position the valve is not actuated. When pressure uponthe seat 80 is relieved, the plunger 59 is released, the spring 67returns the plunger to its normal position, as seen in Flgure 5, andthev seat is tilted upwardly. The rod 32 is carried to the right by themovement of the plunger 59 and tripping member 58, thus tilting thevalve operating` device and operating the valve in a manner exactlysimilar to that described in connection with the hand operating lever.

It will be observed that if the hand-operating lever is moved after theplunger has been brought to the position of Figure 4, the rod 32 will beforced optwardly between thespring 74 and nose 7 5and will slip to thedotted-line position of Figure 4. The hand operating device thus servesto operate the valve independently of the position of the automaticoperating device, whether it be as in Figure 3 or` 4. The spring 74tends to resist movement of the stem in either directlon and to preventit slipping back after actuation. s

It will be noted that the upper end of the sleeve 22 makes a relativelyclose itin the dam 83 so that the water in the discharge chamber 45 'issubstantially separated from the water in the other chambers when themain valve is in the fully closed position. However, after the valveassembly starts to rise, the water passes freely from the collaps' ingchamber through the grooves 40 in the sides of the sleeves 22.

In the closing of theA valve assembly, the close engagement between theupper end of the sleeve 22 and the dam 83 permits only a very slowpassage of water into the chamber 45 toward the end ofthe movement andconsequently causes the final seating of the main valve to be gradualand without jar. This slow closing acts to prevent water hammer and to`provide an ample supply of refill water for thebowl of the fixture. Theslow closing with lts accompanying beneficial results 1s also aidedby-the relatively close fit between the lower part ofthe sleeve 19'andthe lower edge of the fixed sleeve 17. Before the' lower part ofthe'sleeve 19 engages the lower edge of the sleeve 17 it comes oppositethe shoulder 17a and this causes a material reduction in the areapermitting passage of thewa-ter. This reduction in the amount of waterflowing, serves to break the Siphon actionin the closet bowl caused bythe main heavy flow.

It will be observed that clearance is pro- The upward or openingmovement of the valve asscnibly continues as long as the blceder valveis open,and the latter is open while the rod 32 is thrust laterally. Therod is thrust laterally, as long as it engages the side of the member 58or the side of the aperture 73 therein, when the member is drawn back.The duration of the opening movement of the valve and consequently alsoof the closing movement is therefore governedby the etlective extensionof the rod '32. This extension may be varied to adjust the duration ofthe flush b v screwing the sleeve 31 into or out of the member- 30.While the .duration of the flush may be somewhat shorter where heavywater pressures are encountered, the amount of water passed will besubstantially the same under all conditions.

I claim:

1. In combination, a valve,`a valve operating rod associated therewith,a lower-tripping member engaging the rod and adapted to be moved torelease the rod and to automatically returnto operate the valve, and asecond tripping member adapted to be moved to disengage the rodl fromthe lower tripping member to simultaneously operate the valve.

2. In combination, a valve, a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith and provided with a telescopic extension, a lower trippingmember normally supporting the extension in telescopic position, and asecond tripping member engaging said assembly and adapted to be moved toforce the telescopic extension from the lower tripping member. a

3. In combination, a valve, a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith -and provided with a telescopic extension, a lower trippingvmember normally supporting the extension in telescopic position, and asecond tripping member engaging said assembly and adapted to be moved toforce the telescopic extension from the lower tripping member to operatethe valve, the telescopic extension thereupon laterally engaging thelower'tripping member to maintain the valve in open position a period oftime.

4. In combmation, a valve, a valve operpredetermined ating assemblyassociated therewith and provided'with a telescopic extension, a lowertripping member normally supporting the extension in telescopicposition, and a second tripping member engaging said assembly andadapted to be moved to force the telescopic extension from the lowertrippingv member, the lower tripping member being movable to release thetelescopic eX- tension.

5. In combination, a valve, a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith and pro'- vided with a telescopic extension, a lower A beingtri ping member normally supporting the ex lension in telescopicposit-ion, and a second tripping member engaging said assembly andadapted to be moved to vforce the telescopic extension from the lowertripping member, the lower tripping member movable to release thetelescopic extension and to engage it to operate the valve.

6. In combination, a valve,a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith and provided with a telescopic extension, a lower trippingmember normally supporting the extension in telesco ic posit-ion, and avsecond tripping mem er engaging said assembly and adapted to be moved toforce the telesco ic extension from the lower tripping Amem r, the lowertrippingmember being movableto release the telescopic extension and toengage it to operate the valve upon the return of the lower trippingmember to normal position. l

7. In combination, a valve, a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith and provided with a telescopic extension, a lower trippingmember normally supportingv the extension in telescopic position, asecond tripping member engaging said assembly and adapted to be moved toforce the telescopic extension from the lower tripping member, the lowertripping member being movable to release the telescopic extension and toengage it to operate. the valve upon vthe return of the lower trippingmember.

to normal position, and means adapted automatically to return the lowertripping member to normal position.

8. In combination, a valve, a valve operating assembly associatedtherewith and pro-- vided with a telescopic extension, a lower trippingmember normally supporting the extension in telescopic position, and asecond tripping member engaging said assembly and adapted to be moved toforce the telcscopic extension from the lower tripping member to operatethe valve, the telescopic extension thereupon laterally engaging thelower tripping member to maintain the valve in open positionapredetermined period of time, the lower tripping member being movable torelease the telescopic extension and to engage it to operate'the valve.

9. In combination, a valve, a valve oper-v ping member to operate thevalve, the telescopic extension thereupon laterally engaging the lowertripping member to maintain the valve in open postion a predeterminedperiod of time, the lower trip ping member being movable to release theadapted to be moved to disengage the assemtelescopicextension and toengage it to 0perate the valve upon the return of the lower trippingmember to normal position, and means adapted automatically to return thelower ltripping member to normal position. v 10. In combination, a mainvalve, a secondary valve associated therewith, an operating assemblyassociated with the secondary valve, a lower tripping member engagingthe assembly, and a second tripping member bly from the lower trippingmember.

11. In combination, a main valve, a secondary valve carried thereby andmovable therewith, the secondary valve being adapted upon opening tocause the opening of the main valve, an operating assembly associatedwith the secondary valve, a lower tripping member engaging the assembly,and a second tripping member adapted to be moved to disengagethe-assembly from the lower tripping member.

12. In combination, a main valve, a secondary valve carried thereby andmovablel therewith, the secondary valve being adapted upon opening tocause the opening of the main valve, means adapted to engage and openthe secondary valve, said means being provided with a sleeve having atelescopic extension thereon, a lower tripping member` engaging theextension, and a secondary tripping member adapted to move to disengagethe extension from thelower tripping member.

13. In combination, a main valve, a secondary valve carried thereby andmovable therewith, the secondary valve being adapted upon opening tocause the opening of the main valve, means adapted-to engage and openthe secondary valve, said means being provided with a sleeve having atelescopi: extension thereon, a lower tripping member engaging theextension, a secondary tripping member` adapted to move to disengage theextension from the lower tripping member, the lower tripping memberbeing movable to release the telescopic extension and to engage it tooperate the valve upon the return of the lower tripping memberv tonormal position, and means adapted automatically to return the lowertripping member to normal position.

14. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping member eAgaging said portion and maintaining it artly inward and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of the portion of the assembly,and a secondary tripping member adapted to be moved to release the saidportion from contact with the first tripping member.

15. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping memberengaging said portion and maintaining it partly inward and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of said portion, said trippingmember being movable to permit said portion to pass through the opening,and a secondary tripping member adapted to be moved to release the saidportion from contact with the first tripping member.

16. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping memberengaging said portion and maintaining it partly inward and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of said portion, said trippingmember being movable to permit said portion to pass through the opening,said opening being adapted to permit lateral movement of the portion,and a secondary tripping member adapted to be moved to release the saidportion from Contact with the first tripping member.

17. In combination, a valve, valve oper'- ating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping memberengaging said portion and maintaining it partly inward, an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of the portion of the assembly,anda secondary .tripping member adapted tobe moved to moved saidassembly to release the said portion from contact with the rst trippingmember and to tilt the assembly to operate the valve.

18. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping memberengaging said portion and maintaining it partly inward and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of the portion of the assembly,said tripping member being movable to pe'rmit said portiontopass throughthe opening and to engage the assembly to tilt it to operate the valve,and a secondary tripping member adapted to be moved to move saidassembly to release the said portion from contact with the firsttripping member.

19. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassemblyv having a portion normally urged outwardly, a tripping memberengaging said portion and maintaining it partly inward and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of said portion, said trippingmember being movable to permit said portion to pass through the openingand to engage said assembly to tilt it to operate the valve, and asecondary tripping member adapted to be moved to move said assembly torelease the said portion from contact with the first tripping member andto tilt the assembly to operate the valve.

20.- In combination, a valve, valve operate mg means comprising anassembly having and lto engage the assembly to tilt it to operate thevalve, said opening being adapted to permit lateral movement of theportion of the assembly.

21. In combination, a valve, valve operating means comprising anassembly having a portion normally urged outwardly, a

tripping member engaging said portion and maintaining it partly inwardand an opening in said member adapted to permit passage of said portionof the assembly, said tripping member being movable to permit saidportion to pass through the opening and to engage the assembly to tiltit to operate the valve, said opening being adapted to permit lateralmovement of said por' tion, and a secondary tripping member adapted tobe moved to move said assembly to release the said portion from contactwith the first tripping member and to tilt the assembly to operate thevalve, the secondary tripping member being adapted to move the assemblyin a direction having approximately a right-angular relation to thedirection of movement imparted the assembly by the first trippingmember.

22. A flush valve comprising a casing with an inlet and an outlet, avalve seat between the same, a dam carried by the easing concentric withand above theyvalve guide the valvel movement and to act as la dash potto limit and control the speed of said movement, the surface of the damengaging the sleeve being smooth, and the portion of the sleeve engagingthe dam when the valve is closed and approximately closed being smooth,and the remainder of the sleeve being provided with grooves, whereby'themovement of the valve when adjacent the closed position is retardedrelative to its movement when adjacent the open position.

24. In combination, a valve, a valve operating means comprising anextension, a tripping member engaging said extension, and an opening insaid member adapted to permit passage of the extension, said open- 1ngextending laterally through the side of the memberto permit lateralmovement of the stem,ea1`1 edge ofsaid opening being v provided with anose adapted to prevent the extension slipping into the` opening.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 22nd day of March, 1921. i i

ROBERT R. BANTA.

